tree roots near proposed foundations!!

[matt73]

approx 6metres from where my foundations will be dug is a conifer in neighbours garden. approx 6-7 m high. do you think my footings should be deeper?

i have a clay in the soil.

 

[Static]

How deep are they proposed to be?

 

[stric]

Sorry to jump in but I've got a problem with tree roots aswell, A neighbours tree is situated about one metre from the wall of a barn that I am hoping to convert, Ideally I would want to remove the tree, but if the neighbour is unwilling to negotiate (highly probable) can I just cut the roots where they enter my land? how do I get round this????

 

[noseall]

a 1000mm dig from external ground level is acceptable in virgin earth, though root barrier foundations can godown as mutch as 1500mm (depending on root size,lie of the land etc).

 

[matt73]

foundations proposed at 1000mm , probably trench fill. not sure if i will hit roots. who will best advise.... building control???

i've also hear that cutting down the tree won't help as tree roots will cause heave in soil.

if i have to go deeper would it have to be all way round extension?

 

[noseall]

usually, only local to the offending tree.

 

[Static]

Usually you go 300mm below any roots found in trench. Depth will depend on tree type and soil. Is the conifer a cypress? What is the clay like; thick like toffee? crumbly? sandy?

 

[Nige F]

Hi, Static...you`ve not met 3metre Peter from Wealden BCO, then You must be in that foreign county, W. Sussex.

 

[rangersman]

Rule of thumb for a conifer is "safe distance" is half the height away from the centre of the tree - in your case anywhere over 3m should be fine.